After the success of the first Marriage Seminar held in Nairobi and realizing the need, AFTAB/AYN organized a second Marriage Seminar from 20th and 21st November 2011, at Mehfil-e-Abbas (as) in Dar es Salaam.

Bilal complex organised the annual procession commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husein (as). The procession on Sunday, 11th December 2011 was graced by the Chairman of AFED Alhaj Anwer Dharamsi, The Chairman of Tanzania Ithna Asheri Community and representatives from different organisations. Bilal Comprehensive School and Hauzatul Bilal delivered recitations throughout the procession which began at Mabatini grounds and ended at the School premises.

Sheikh Hemed Jalala addressed the public & participants of the events of Ashura and after which eulogies (Ma'tam) were recited by Shk. Hashir and Shk. Yasin.

The Secretariat is pleased to announce Sis Fatim Sadick Somji of Dar es Salaam, as the first Chair of the Africa Federation Women's Board which was formed during the Supreme Council session of 2011.

Sis Fatim is an active member of the Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat and has served in various committees over the years, and is presently the Hon. Secretary of the Central Board of Education (CBE) of KSI Jamaat, Dar-es-Salaam.

Sis Fatim regards her greatest contributions to the community in being a teacher at the Husayni Madrasah for the past 20 years teaching both girls and boys, and is now head of department of Quran Theory at the Madrasah. In addition, she is also part of the Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat Media Room team for the past 6 years as the Ladies coordinator.

The Education Festival organized by Africa Youth Network (AYN) sponsored by Africa Federation and hosted by the KSI Jamaat of Mombasa is a unique event in the calendar of Africa Youth Network, having previously been held in 2007 and 2009.

The fundamental aim and objective of this venture is to give our youths, male and female, the platform to articulate their talent, skills and intellect and at the same time create for them an environment where by they can learn to live with mutual understanding, develop cordial relations and foster brotherhood.

Bantu speakers migrated to Mozambique in the first millennium, and Arab and Swahili traders settled in the region thereafter. It was explored by Vasco da Gama in 1498 and first colonized by Portugal in 1505. By 1510, the Portuguese had control of all of the former Arab sultanates on the east African coast. The city was named Lourenço Marques for the Portuguese trader who first explored the area in 1544.

Struggle for independence from Portuguese colonial rule began in 1963, and became effective by 1973. A cease-fire was signed in Sept. 1974 after having been under Portuguese colonial rule for 470 years; Mozambique became independent on June 25, 1975 and the late Samora Moisés Machel became the first President of Mozambique.

Mozambique stretches for 1,535 miles (2,470 kms) along Africa's southeast coast. It is nearly twice the size of California. Tanzania is to the north; Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to the west; and South Africa and Swaziland to the south. The country is generally a low-lying plateau broken up by 25 sizable rivers that flow into the Indian Ocean. The largest is the Zambezi, which provides access to central Africa.

The Secretariat has been in consultation with Scholars and the Hilal Committee in regards to the sighting of the Moon for 1st Safar and wishes to notify all Jamaats in Africa that 1st Safar 1433 fell on Monday 26th December 2011.

A number of Regions in Tanzania experienced heavy rains last week causing loss of human lives and damage to properties. The Tanzania Meteorological Agency was quoted saying that these are the heaviest rains Tanzania has experienced since independence in 1961.

Dar-es-Salaam was one of the most effected city where the regional authorities have been quoted as saying that so far 40 people have lost their lives and over 5,000 rendered homeless, following last week's three-day consecutive downpour.

The Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat has called upon its members to contribute generously towards the relief aid for the victims and arranged for distribution of food to the effected families. Last week, the Chairman of the Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi, and the President of Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat, Alhaj Shiraz Walji, with some members of the Dar-es-Salaam Jamaat were among the volunteers to distribute flood, clothing and other items to the victims of Dar es Salaam floods.

The Chairman of Africa Federation, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi accompanied by the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan along with the Chairman of Tabligh Board - AFTAB, Sayyid Hassan Naqvi and the Chairman of the Housing Development Board, Alhaj Munawer Bharwani joined Arusha and Moshi Jamaats members in the Aza'a of Ashra-e-Muharram from 5th to 7th Muharram 1433 (1st to 3rd December 2011).

Alhaj Anwarali in his address on the 6th & 7th nights of Muharram in Arusha and Moshi Imambargha respectively stressed the importance of Aza'a-e-Sayeedu Shohada'a, Imam Husayn (AS). He pointed out that the congregation (majalises) during the 12 days of Muharram in particular whereby old and young - men, women and children gather together to listen to the scholars and preachers are an institution of learning and unique opportunity of revival and understanding of Islamic principles and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWW). He asked the congregation to reflect on Imam Husayn (AS) call on the day of Ashura, Imam turned in four directions and repeated four times – "Halmeen Nasireen Yansurunah, Halmeen Mughiseen Yughisunah" (Meaning – Is there anyone who will come to assist us?, Is there anyone who will respond to our call for aid?). This call of Imam as he stood alone in the battle field of Karbala at the peak of the time when his 72 faithful companions were already martyred was not only for those who were present then on the day of Ashura on the 10th of Muharram 61 AH but it is for all of us and the call will remain alive until the Day of Judgment (Yawm al-Qiy?mah).

The Sports Council of Africa Federation calls upon all Jamaats under the Africa Federation and the Conseil Regional Des Khojas Shia Ithna-Asheri Jamates De L'Ocean Indien (Regional Council of Madagascar) to submit their nominations for the "Sportswoman and Sportsman of the year" by filling in the enclosed Questionnaires.

Jamaats are requested to note that nominations are for both for Sportswoman and Sportsman for the year 2011.

Nominations should be submitted to the following address by 15th February 2012:

Bilal Muslim Mission of Tanzania in collaboration with Beta Charitable Trust of UK organized an eye and medical camp at Kilondoni district on Mafia Island from 14th to the 16th of October 2011.

Flightlink Airline supported the camp with a complimentary charter plane to ferry the team to the Island. The organizers are very grateful for the support offered for the Eye Camp. We wish to thank the Directors of the Flightlink, especially Capt. Munawer for his contributions to the Mission.

A visit by the Africa Federation delegation to Mombasa Jamaat took place from 16th to 18th December 2011. The AFED delegation was led by the Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali Dharamsi and accompanied by the Hon. Secretary, Alhaj Aunali Khalfan and the Hon. Treasurer, Alhaj Mohamed Hemani. At the same time, the Chairman of AFED Education Board, Alhaj Samir Habib also traveled to Mombasa to meet with the Jamaat Education Board members and the management of Jaffery Institute of Professional Studies.

An important meeting with the Jamaat Chairman, Alhaj Sajjad Rashid and Managing Committee members was held on Friday, 16th December 2011. The new team came into office following the election of the Jamaat in September 2011. The meeting covered several areas, including housing schemes, medical and education. The Chairman, Alhaj Anwarali expressed profound appreciation to Mombasa Jamaat whose contributions to AFED has been significant in the areas of Tabligh, Education, Youth Development, Sports and also for hosting of various events and festivals in Mombasa on behalf of AFED.